Baseboard convector enclosure



May 17, 1955 R. w. BOARMAN BAsEBoARD coNvEcToR ENcLosURE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 19, 1955 ATTORN EY.

May 17, 1955 R. w. BOARMAN 2,708,569

BASEBOARD coNvECToR ENcLosURE Filed Jan. 19, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m L mm ,1 n. m R m Mw. M 2 m BASEBOARD CONVECTOR ENCLGSURE Robert W. Boarman, Pottstown, Pa., assigner to Colum bia. Boiler Co. of Pottstown, Pottstown, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 19, 11953, Serial No. 331,764

` s Claims. (ci. 257-433) v This invention relates to baseboard convector 4er1- closures.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a baseboard convector enclosure which will control the distribution of heat from an enclosed heat exchanger.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a baseboard convector enclosure having structure for changing the heat distribution by a simple manipulation. v

lt is a further obiect of the present invention to provide a baseboard convector enclosure of simple construction so that the assembly and mounting may be easily effected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a baseboard convector enclosure possessing pleasing decorative qualities.

lt is a further object of the present inventionrto provide a baseboard convector enclosure which will prevent discoloration of the wall and the formation of heat streaks on the wall above the convectors.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a baseboard convector enclosure having component parts which may be readily constructed from available materials.

.Other objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the. specification and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with thel accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, parts being broken away to show the details of construction;

. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; l

`Fig. 3 -is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing an alternative form of the invention; and

Figures 4 and 5 are isometric views of the respective embodiments of bracket 12 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

lt should of course be understood that the description and drawings vherein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made inthe structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. Y

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, the baseboard convector enclosure there shown includes a back panel 1), a front panel 11 and a bracket 12. The back panel. 10, which is preferably made from suitable sheet metal, has a plurality of integral sections as hereinafter explained. The uppermost section l14 of the back panel 1t! is disposed generally horizontally, and

has an inner edge 15 which is generally normal to` the vertical side wall 16, of the room to be heated, preferarent ably extends 'into the wall 16 for a short distance and is in locked engagement therewith. The section 14 has connected thereto an outwardly and downwardly inclined section 17 which is in turn connected to an inwardly and downwardly inclined section 1S by a curved section 19. The section 18 is connected to a downwardly disposed vertical section 20 having a lower outwardly curved portion 21 in lengagement with the oor 22.

At a plurality of locations clips 25 are secured in any suitable manner to the section 17 for the purpose of permitting the adjustable passage of a suitable beaded chain 26 to be more fully described hereinafter. The back panel 1l) has a plurality of holes 27. convenientlyplaced for the reception of fasteners 28, such as nails, screws or f the like, for the purpose of securing the back panel 10 to the wall 16.

The bracket 12 includes a vertically disposed back strip 30 which is held in engagement with the section 20 of the back panel 1t) and the wall 16 by the fasteners 2S which pass through holes 29 corresponding in size and location to the holes 27, to receive the same. The strip 30 extends downwardly to a lower relatively shallow arcuate strip 31 with which it is integral. At the outer extremity of the strip 31 and integral with it a hook-like member 32, J-shaped in cross section, is provided, As an alternative construction, and as shown in Fig. 3, the strip 31 is provided at its outer extremity and integral with it a relatively short vertical strip 33 to which a high magnetic intensity permanent magnet 34 is secured in any suitable manner such as by a bolt 34a.

At the upper portion of each of the strips 39 there4 is provided a vertical outwardly extending plate 3S disposed generally normal to the strip 3d. The plate 35 is preferably substantially triangularly shaped with a lip 36 provided at the outermost part of its upper edge. At the innermost part of its upper edge the plate 3S is provided with a suitable notch 37 for the reception and partial rotation of a damper pin 3S to be more fully explained hereinafter. A pair of keyhole slots 39 is provided in the strip 3d for the reception and adjustable passage of a beaded or other suitable type chain 40 to be more fully explained hereinafter.

A plurality of damper plates 4S preferably of sheet metal is provided. The damper plates at their inner edges and at each end have cylindrical sleeves 4d for the reception of the damper pin 38. Adjacent dampers 4Sy f is provided. On the outer surface of the pipe and in circumferential engagement therewith, a plurality of spaced parallel transverse tins 5,., are provided for heat transfer from the pipe Sil. The pipe 50 extends generally parallel to the panel 10 and is held in a slightly inclined position by the chains 40 each of which extends downwardly from one of the keyhole slots 39,` passes under the pipe 50 and extends upwardly to the other keyhole slot 39. The lengths of the chains 40 may be varied so that the pipe 5t? can be assembled at the proper inclination.

The fins 52 may be of any desired size and shape and as shown in Fig. 3 are of generally lcircular configuration.' "One or more tinsv 52'at the strip 31 rest on the strip'31. i The tins 52yalso engage the section Ztl of the back panel 1li and the inner face of the frontpanel 11.

ing front and rear segments removed but with a curved lower edge for engagement with the strip 31 and two straight vertical edges for accommodation to the panel section 23 and the front panel 11 as stated previously.

The front panel 11 is preferably made of sheet metal and includes a vertical section 56, an integral upper inverted hook section 57 and an integral lower hook section 58, the hook sections 57 and 58 being provided to effect engagement with the corresponding parts 32 and 36 of the bracket 12.

The baseboard convector enclosure is assembled by rst positioning the back panel 10 against the wall 16 and securing it thereto in any suitable manner, screws 23 being preferred. The upper edge 15 extends into the wall 16 a suitable distance iu order to provide rigidity to the enclosure structure. The amount that the upper edge 15 extends into the wall 16 is determined by the type of mounting of the back panel 1t), a recessed assembly having a greater extension than a flush assembly. To achieve decorative effects a trim molding 59, such as the standard quarter round, is preferably positioned at the junction of the section 14 and the wall 16 and secured to the wall 16 in any desired manner, directly in a panel type wall 59a and into the lath 5917 and plaster 59o in a plaster finished wall.

The lower portion 21 of the back panel 10 is in engagement with the iloor 22 and because of its curved contour acts as a bale directing the air that has entered the enclosure below the front panel 11 upwardly along the surfaces of the ns 52,`over the surface of pipe 50 and out of the top of the enclosure into the room to be heated. Thus the entering air becomes part of a coutinuous system of heat distribution. Any necessary cleaning operations are facilitated by the clearance between the lower part of the front panel 11 and the floor 22, which clearance is enough to allow free circulation of sutiicient air and permit access for cleaning. The curved contour of the lower section 21 of the back panel 10, prevents any lodging ot dirt in inaccessible crevices and this aids cleaning operations in addition to performing its prime function of directing incoming air upwardly. The bracket 12 is alixed to the back panel 10 by screws or bolts 28 which pass through suitable holes 27 provided in the back panel 19 and into the wall 16. The pipe 50, with tins 52 assembled, is placed in the inner bracket 12 where one or more of the fins S2 rests on the lower strip 31 and the sides of all of the tins 52 are in engagement with the inner face of the front panel 11 and the front face of the back panel 1i). In order to insure a more eicient fluid tlow or for other reasons the pipe 50 may be given the desired inclination by an ad justment on the chain t) previously described. Such inclination of the pipe 50 is preferably effected when the system is installed but if necessary lt can be effected subsequently.

Usually there will be a continuous circulation of unheated air entering the lower part of the enclosure, rising and being heated and rising again and entering the room from the opening at the top of the enclosure. Control of the heat circulation and distribution can be eiected by a simple manipulation of the damper 4S by means of the adjustable chain 26. It" the damper 4S is vertical or open a maximum amount of heat will be circulated into the room. By gradually rotating the damper 45 toward a horizontal position by pulling upwardly on the chain 26 the amount of heat circulated into the room is gradually decreased until it reaches a minimum when the damper 45 reaches a horizontal or closed position. At the horizontal position of the damper 45 the amount of heat circulated into the room is minimal although some heated air will enter the room from the enclosure since no attempt is made to make the closed damper 45 airtight and of4 course some radiant'heat will enter theroom from the warm exterior portions of the baseboard convector enclosure.

The flow of lower entering unheated air 1s upwardly directed by the curved contour of the lower portion 21 'of the back panel 10. The air then moves vertically and is directed upwardly and outwardly by the upper overhanging part of the back panel 10. The outward direction of the heated air as it leaves the enclosure has at least a two-fold benecial eiect. The outward and upward direction of the heated air leads to improved heat circulation and distribution in the room and dellection of the stream of heated air away from the wall 16 of the room avoids objectionable heat streaks thereon.

The front panel 11 is secured in position by first engaging the section 58 over the hook members 32 then swinging the front panel 11 inwardly and upwardly and engaging the section 57 over the lips 36 of the side plates 35. The front panel 11 then moves or is permitted to move for a short distance vertically downwardly to effect snug engagement with the clips 36 while Inaintaining engagement with the hook members 32. The engagement between the section 58 and the hook members 32 holds the front panel 11 from outwardV displacement. The front panel 11 may be removed by a reversal of the operations previously described.

if desired, in place of the holding structure at the bottom edge of the front panel 11, the magnets 34 may be employed, in which case the front panel 11 is hooked at the top over thel lips 36 and then the lower part of the front panel 11 is moved inwardly until it engages the magnets 34.

The front panel 11 serves both a utilitarian and decorative purpose. It conceals the inner part of the enclosure and presents an outward surface which may be painted or otherwise decorated to blend with the decoration of the room concerned. It, of course, acts as one sideof a channel for guiding the air to be heated and the heated air. Its construction permits easy access to the inner parts should such be necessary or desired. The back panel ltlis likewise both utilitarian and decorative. In addition to guiding the air to be heated and the heated air it has an outer exposed portion that can be treated decoratively similarly to the front panel 11. The damper 4S provides for heat control and, at the same time, maintains a decorative appearance.

I claim:

l. A baseboard enclosure for a heat distributing conduit unit comprising an elongated front panel, an elongated back panel having an outwardly curved lower end and an upper end sloping outwardly and then extending inwardly to the wall, spaced inner brackets mounted on said rear panel and each having an outwardly and up-y wardly curved lower portion in engagement with the conduit unit, a chain suspended from said inner brackets for supporting the conduit unit, said inner brackets each having an upper portion for supporting engagement with the top end of said front panel, a damper pivotally supported on said inner brackets, and engaging portions on said front wall panel and said lower portions of said brackets for holding the wall panel against outward movement.

2. A baseboard enclosure adapted to be disposed along a wall for a heat distributing pipe having spaced heat transfer tins thereon comprising an elongated front panel having inwardly curved top and bottom ends, an clon-4 gated back panel having an outwardly curved lowery end and an upper end sloping outwardly and then extending inwardly to the wall, an inner bracket having an outwardly and upwardly curved lower portion for engaging said front panel and at least one of said tins, said inner bracket having an upper portion for supporting engagement with the top end of said front panel, elongated y' dampers each having sleeve members at each end of one of its edges, a pin supported by the upper portion of said bracket and in engagement in the sleeve members of adjoining dampers and adjusting members for said damp-1 ers including a connection to said upper end of said back panel.

3. A baseboard enclosure adapted to be disposed along a wall for a heat distributing conduit unit comprising an elongated front panel having inwardly curved top and bottom ends, an elongated back panel having an out u-'ardly curved lower end and an upper end sloping outwardly and then extending inwardly to the wall, an inner bracket having an outwardly and upwardly curved lower portion in engagement with said front panel and an upper portion in supporting engagement with said front panel,

conduit for the heat distributing medium having a piu rality of spaced tins, a chain in engagement with said inner bracket for adjustably supporting said conduit, a damper having sleeve members on each end of one of its edges, a pin supported by the said upper portion of said bracket and in engagement in the sleeve members of adjoining dampcrs, a clip on the upper end of said back panel, a chain adjustably engageable in said ciip and connected to another edge of said damp-er.

4. A baseboard enclosure for a heat distributing conduit unit comprising an elongated front panel having top and bottom ends inwardly curved in a hook-shape, an elongated back panel having an outwardly curved lower end and an upper end sloping outwardly and then eX- tending inwardly to the wall, an inner bracket having an ontwardiy and an upwardly curved lower portion terN minating in a hook shaped member for engaging said bottom nook end of said front panel, said inner bracket having an upper portion terminating in a lip for supporting engagement with said top hook end of said front panel, elongated dampers each having a cylindrical sleeve at each end of its inner edges, a pin supported at the inner edge oi said upper portion of said inner bracket and in engagement in said sleeves of adjoining dampers, a clip in engagement with an upper portion of said back panel, an adjustable chain, one end otsaid chain being connected to the outer edge of said damper and the other end or said chain being connected to said clip, an elongated cylindrical conduit for the heat distributing medium, said conduit having a plurality of spaced tins in circumferential engagement with said conduit, an adjustable chain for supporting engagement with said conduit, said upper portion of said inner bracket having a pair of slots and said conduit supporting chain being in adjustable engagement in said slots.

5, A basebnard enclosure for a heat distributing conduit unit comprising an elongated front panel having top and bottom ends inwardly curved in a hook shape, an elongated back panel having an outwardly curved lower end and an upper end sloping outwardly and then extending inwardly to the wall, an inner bracket having outwardly and upwardly curved lower portion terminating in a tip, a magnet in engagement with said tip for engaging said front panel, said inner bracket having an upper portion terminating in a lip for supporting engagement with said top hook end of said front panel, elo-gated dampers each having a cylindrical sleeve at end of its inner edge, a pin supported at the inner erige of said upper portion of said inner bracket and in engagement in said sleeves of adjoining dampers, a clip in engagement with an upper portion of said back panel,

adjustable chain, one end of said chain being conto the outer edge of said damper and the other end of said chain being connected to said clip, an elongated cylindrical conduit for the heat distributing medium, said conduit having a plurality of spaced ins in circumferential engagement with said conduit, an adjustable chain for supporting engagement with said conduit, said upper portion of said inner bracket having a pair of slots and said conduit supporting chain being in adjustable engagement in said slots.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 528,319 Beaton Oct. 30, 1894 1,633,032 Nordling lune 2l, 1927 2,099,705 Roblin July 30, 1935 2,477,824 Reiss Aug. 2, 1949 2,651,564 Gundrurn et al Sept. 8, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,155 Germany Jan. 14, 1936 

